District 95 approves administrator's separation agreement, resignation
A high-ranking administrator is leaving Lake Zurich Unit District 95 after accusations her job performance was lacking, documents show.
Sarah Danielewicz, director of student services and therapeutic placements in the special education division for Lake Zurich High School, will receive a final paycheck of $4,069 on March 31 as part of the separation agreement the school board authorized 5-0 Thursday night.
She had a base salary of $97,660 for the current academic year through June 30, according to a District 95 compensation report.
Documents obtained from a Daily Herald open records request show Danielewicz was placed on a paid administrative leave of absence Jan. 6, pending an investigation by the school board into allegations of insufficient performance.
She was told on Jan. 21 the school board would seek to terminate her contract based on the internal probe.
Danielewicz denied the claims a day later and requested a hearing before the elected officials, according to District 95 documents.
Both sides eventually agreed to settle. Danielewicz could not be reached Friday for further comment.
School board members approved Danielewicz's separation agreement and resignation without comment Thursday night. District 95 board President Doug Goldberg said after the meeting he was unable to provide details.
"We don't discuss personnel matters, obviously, in public," Goldberg said. "There's pretty strict laws about saying anything about it. You know, sometimes employees have to be dismissed."
Danielewicz was not present when the board voted on her separation agreement and resignation, which is officially effective March 31.
Superintendent Michael Egan recommended the action. The separation terms include no re-employment of Danielewicz at District 95, a reference letter agreed on by both sides and continuation of her medical benefits through her resignation date.
"This separation agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the board or Danielewicz for the purpose of establishing any liability or wrongdoing by the board or Danielewicz, respectively," according to the document.
Danielewicz joined District 95 in July 2014, her resume shows. Previously she was the educational services coordinator at Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 from 2011 to 2014, and assistant director of pupil services at Grayslake Elementary District 46 from 2008 to 2011.